NAFTA trade using surface transportation saw an even greater gain in February of 24.1 percent, the largest year-over-year rise on record
, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the U.S. Department of Transportation. However, the freight value was still down 14.3 percent from February 2008.

Land transportation trade reached $59.5 billion, an increase of 4.9 percent from January 2010. Month-to-month changes can be affected by seasonal variations and other factors.

Surface transportation consists largely of freight movements by truck, rail and pipeline. In February, 87.6 percent of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico moved on land.

The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico was up 11 percent compared to February 2005, and up 29.6 percent compared to February 2000, a period of 10 years. Imports in February gained 28.3 percent compared to February 2000, while exports were up 31.2 percent.

U.S.-Canada surface transportation trade was $36.3 billion in February, up 21.7 percent from the year-ago month. The value of imports carried by truck was 6.4 percent higher in February 2010 compared to February 2009, while the value of exports carried by truck was 23.5 percent higher during this period.

U.S. surface transportation trade with Mexico totaled $23.2 billion, an increase of 28 percent compared to February 2009. The value of imports carried by truck was 27.6 percent higher in February 2010 than February 2009, while the value of exports carried by truck was 18.3 percent higher.